Hanging display device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a novel hanging display device for displaying various articles. Specifically exemplified is a display device for displaying collectibles contained in original box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] There is a large market of products that people enjoy buying ascollectibles. For example, kids and their parents enjoy buying dolls,stuffed animals and miscellaneous toys that are marketed as a “specialcollection”. Examples of these include BARBIE dolls or STAR TREKfigures. Some of these items kids play with regularly, while other, morespecial items, are kept in the box and saved as a collectible. The valueof the collectible is often determined by the condition of thedecorative box, and even more valuable if the box has not been opened.To maintain the good condition of the box, the very special items areusually put away in the back of the closet never to be enjoyed ordisplayed.

[0002] Either toys are put away out of sight, or displayed upon aconvenient surface as an alternative to conventional storage. Or parentsmust hang cumbersome shelves to display . . . However, such displayoften clutters furniture surfaces within the child's room which theparents would prefer be used for other purposes. In the face of thereluctance of children to store or put away such large numbers of toyfigures or dolls, as well as the desire to maintain the condition ofcollectibles, a need arises in the art for a convenient storage anddisplay apparatus for such toys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The subject invention pertains to a novel hanging display devicefor displaying a wide array of items, and especially suited fordisplaying and organizing toys. The subject invention provides for theaesthically pleasing display of toys and other collectibles withoutdamaging their original box. In a particular embodiment, the subjectinvention is directed to a hanging display apparatus comprising a base,a back support structure, and an adjustable bracket for securing thedisplay item. The hanging display device is preferably configured tominimize the amount the device covers the display item, and thus theamount it is noticed by the observer when the item is displayed. Thebase is preferably made of a clear plastic material to allow theobserver to view the bottom of the display item.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0004] Turning to FIG. 1, display device embodiment 100 is showncomprising a support base 110 which is attached or integral with a backsupport 120. Slidably attached to the back support 120 is an adjustablebracket 115. The adjustable bracket 115 can be raised or lowered asnecessary to contact the top of the display device, and hold the displayitem onto the display device 100. The adjustable bracket may includeseveral different configurations to achieve this objective. As shown,the adjustable bracket 115 comprises a telescopic wire-like structurecomprising a top extender portion 125 that is positioned on top of thedisplay item (not shown). The back support 120 comprises bracket guides130 and 134 that comprise punched portions of the back support 120. Theadjustable bracket slides within the bracket guides 130 and 134, and thebracket guides 130 and 134 are configured such that they frictionbetween the bracket guides 130 and 134 is created to hold the adjustablebracket 115 at a desired position. FIG. 1B shows a magnified view of asection of the back support 120 better illustrating the bracket guides130. Bracket guides 130 comprise a flap of material that is open on thecenter side of the back support 120. To accommodate larger displayitems, the bracket 115 may be squeezed (see dashed lines) and pushed uppast bracket guides 130. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe bracket guides may open toward the lateral portion of the backsupport 120. Further, numerous open bracket guides may be disposed onthe back support to allow for smaller, incremental adjustment of thebracket 115.

[0005] The term “wire-like structure” as used herein refers to a rod ofpliable material which may be bent to form an extender portion forsecuring a display item. Preferably, the wire-like structure iscontinuous such that it comprises two ends and an elongated body,wherein the extender portion is fashioned out of the elongated body andwherein the two ends are slidable attached to the back support. The termpliable rod implies a circular cross-section, which is preferred, butrod is intended to encompass other cross-sectional shapes, including butnot limited to a square, rectangular, star shape, and a cross shape.

[0006] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the display device100 may be secured to a wall by adhesive strips, hook and loop strips,or similar means. Preferably the display device is secured to a wall bya hanging means, including, but not limited to, tacks, nails, screwsetc. that are placed through one or more holes 135 defined on the backsupport 120 (see FIG. 2, back view). FIG. 2 shows the use of screws 136to hang the display device 100. Also the bracket 115 comprises awire-like structure that comprises a stop 150 on each end of the bracket115. The stop 150 helps prevent the bracket 115 from pulling out of theback support 120 when the bracket 115 is extended. FIG. 4 shows a backview of display device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the bracketis extended to accommodate a larger display item. FIG. 5 shows the topof such device. FIG. 6 shows the bottom of such device.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the back supportand adjustable bracket may be fashioned into multiple configurations.What is important is that the display device can support the displayitem, that the display device is securable to a wall, and that thebracket is adjustable to accommodate various differently sized items.Preferably, the display items are boxes encasing special collectibles,such as collectible dolls, figurines, model cars, planes or boats andother collectibles contained in a box.

[0008]FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment that comprises a channel340 into which the bracket 315 may slide in and out of The bracket 315is held into place by friction between the inner walls of the channel340 and the bracket 315. Preferably, the base 110 and back support 120are sized to be smaller than the bottom and back portion, respectively,of the displayed item. This is to minimize obstruction of the decorativebox.

[0009] The different parts of the display device 100 may be made ofmetal, plastic material, wood, or other suitable materials such asrubber, glass, ceramic, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat plastics include a broad range of known plastic polymers. Thecritical aspect being that the material used has a sufficient rigidityand sturdiness to support itself and the display item. It is alsocontemplated that different parts of the subject display device areconstructed of different materials. For example, the base 110 may bemade of a clear, transparent material, while the back support 120 ismade of metal or wood. Use of a transparent material provides anenhanced level of interest as the observer will be allowed to see thebottom of the display item.

[0010] In addition, the bracket of the subject invention may takeseveral different shapes and configurations. Preferably, the generalbracket comprises an elongated portion that slidingly communicates witha back support. Extending outwardly and transversely from the elongatedportion is a securing arm portion that functions to secure the displayitem down onto a base. More preferably, the securing arm portion extendsat substantially a right angle out from the elongated portion so as toproperly rest on top of the display item. Furthermore, a grippingmaterial may be disposed on the securing arm portion to assist insecuring the display item onto the display device. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that several appropriate materials may be used forthis function, including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, silicone,or cloth.

[0011]FIG. 7 illustrates a display device embodiment 700 comprising analternative bracket 715 design. Embodiment 700 comprises a back support720 that comprises a plurality of ridges 722. The bracket 715 comprisesa series of rectangular apertures 723 that correspond to the ridges 722.The bracket may be set at a specific height by fastening the bracket 715to the back support 720 so that the ridges 722 are pushed through theappropriate rectangular apertures 723. The back support also comprisesone or more holes 735 to accommodate to screws 740 or other appropriatehanging means.

[0012]FIG. 8 illustrates a display device embodiment 800 that comprisesthe ability to tilt. This embodiment would be especially desirous foritems that are hung high, as the item may be titled downward to increasevisibility. The display device 800 comprises an adjustable back bracket810 that has an extendable bracket portion 812 and a bracket supportportion 814. The display device 800 also comprises a base 815 to providebottom support. The adjustable back bracket 810 and base 815 areintegrated together such that they may tilt as a single unit. Theadjustable back bracket 810 and base 815 are secured to a stationaryback support 820 by a bolt (hidden) and nut 822. Not shown is a channelto which both the base 815 and adjustable back bracket 810 are attachedand through which the bolt (also not shown) passes through. Theadjustable back bracket 810 and base 815 may be adjusted by looseningand tightening the screw 822. Furthermore, the extendable bracketportion 812 comprises a support arm 813 that extends outwardly andtransversely from the extendable bracket portion 812. Disposed on theend of the support arm 813 is a gripping material 816. A grippingmaterial 817 is also disposed on the outer end of the base 815.

[0013] All patents, patent applications and publications discussed orcited herein are understood to be incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each individual publication or patent application wasspecifically and individually set forth in its entirety.

[0014] Having generally described this invention, including the bestmode thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presentinvention contemplates the embodiments of this invention as defined inthe following claims, and equivalents thereof. However, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the scope of this invention should bemeasured by the claims appended hereto, and not merely by the specificembodiments exemplified herein. Those skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that more sophisticated technological advances will likelyappear subsequent to the filing of this document with the Patent Office.To the extent that these later developed improvements embody theoperative principles at the heart of the present disclosure, thoseimprovements are likewise considered to come within the ambit of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hanging display device comprising: a base forproviding bottom support to item being displayed; a back supportintegral with or attached to said base, wherein said back supportcomprises at least one aperture defined thereon to receive at least oneconnector for hanging said hanging display device; and an adjustiblebracket slidingly engaged to said back support, said adjustable bracketmay be adjusted to fit several different sizes of display items.
 2. Thehanging display device of claim 1, wherein said hanging display devicehangs on a wall, a furniture piece, or other vertically orientedstructure.
 3. The hanging display device of claim 1, wherein saidadjustable bracket comprises a wire-like structure.
 4. The hangingdisplay device of claim 1, wherein said wire-like structure is comprisedof metal wood, or plastic.
 5. The hanging display device of claim 1,wherein said back support comprises at least one bracket guide attachedto or integral with said back support, and wherein said adjustablebracket is positioned in said at least one bracket guide.
 6. The hangingdisplay device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable bracket comprises anelongated portion in sliding communication with said back support and asecuring portion transversely extending out from said elongated portion.7. The hanging display device of claim 6, wherein said securing portioncomprises a gripping material disposed thereon to increase frictionbetween the securing portion and the item for display.
 8. The hangingdisplay of claim 7, wherein said gripping material is comprised ofrubber, plastic or cloth.